Ordination update: 7 new deacons for Evansville

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson of Indianapolis returned to Evansville on Aug. 5 to ordain seven men to the Diocese of Evansville’s permanent diaconate during a Mass at St. Benedict Cathedral. The new deacons include Dr. Reynaldo Carandang of Vincennes, Thomas Cervone of Evansville, Albert Frabutt of Hymera in Sullivan County, Charles Johnson of Jasper, Robert “Rocky” Mattingly of Evansville, Jay VanHoosier of Newburgh and Paul Vonderwell of Vincennes.

More than 20 priests of the diocese concelebrated the Mass, and Deacons David Seibert (Diocesan Director of the Permanent Diaconate) and Thomas Evans (Assistant Director) Assisted. More than 30 other permanent deacons also attended.

“I take this opportunity to welcome the families and friends of our seven candidates—Jay, Paul, Albert, Charles, Rey, Tom and Rocky,” Archbishop Thompson said during his homily. “We especially want to acknowledge the roles of their wives—Rose, Corinna, Marka, Melinda, Rose, Marie and Rita—in shaping and supporting these men of faith. Of course, we are particularly grateful to Deacon David Seibert … as well as pastors, staffs and parishioners where these men have lived and served.

“Not unlike our experience here today, as recorded in our second reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the Twelve called forth “seven reputable men” for service to those in need, allowing the Apostles to maintain their primary focus on the Word of God,” Archbishop Thompson said. “These seven men would come to be known as the first deacons of the Church.”

He especially mentioned St. Stephen. “It should be noted that Stephen, the first of the seven named in the Acts of the Apostles, was also one of earliest martyrs of the Church. He would not be the last deacon to suffer martyrdom.”

Deacon Greg Kandra is a Roman Catholic deacon in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York. For nearly three decades, he was a writer and producer for CBS News, where he contributed to a variety of programs and was honored with every major award in broadcasting. Deacon Greg now serves as Multimedia Editor for Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA.) He and his wife live in Forest Hills, New York.